Critical Requirements
All students must present evidence of having met specific health and legal requirements including background checks, drug screenings and health clearance prior to engaging in clinical experiences. These requirements are mandated by the UC College of Nursing’s clinical partners and are subject to change based upon partner requirements.
In addition to the requirements of our clinical partners, University of Cincinnati health officials and College of Nursing administrators continue to review national guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College Health Association (ACHA), and medical and public health experts to inform decision-making pertaining to required critical requirements.
UC College of Nursing students use a platform called CastleBranch to submit and track their compliance with critical requirements. The steps below outline the steps needed to complete critical requirements by the expected deadlines. Failure to do so will prevent students from completing clinical hours.
Take this survey to find out the correct classification code for your CastleBranch package. Make sure to write down/screeshot the codes assigned as you go through the survey.
Deadlines to order your CastleBranch package(s):
| Start Term | Deadline to Order CastleBranch Package |
|---|---|
| Fall | Dec. 15 |
| Spring | April 30 |
| Summer | July 1 |
| Start Term | Deadline to Order CastleBranch Package |
|---|---|
| Fall | Sept. 15 |
| Spring | Jan. 31 |
| Summer | June 1 |
First, you will be prompted to create your unique profile and generate your login credentials. Enter your Full UC ID (e.g. student ID, M number), including the M and without dashes; it is essential to you use your UC email address, as this will become your username. After you create your account, you can access CastleBranch portal at any time.
Order a CastleBranch package(s) for a fee using the code generated in the survey above.
Please refrain from purchasing a package until the first day of course instruction.
This CastleBranch guide provides step-by-step instructions on the three ways (upload, fax and mail) you can submit your documents. You are required to submit the following documentation to CastleBranch:
- Background check results
- Drug screening results
- Health clearances, which include verification of the following:
- Health insurance
- Active, unrestricted RN licensure
- CPR certification
- Tuberculosis testing
- Immunization records, including proof of seasonal flu vaccination
- Web-based compliance training module completion certificates
- State-specific requirements (if any)
- Site-specific requirements (if any)
Deadlines to submit the required documents to CastleBranch:
| Start Term |
Deadline to Submit Critical Requirements |
|---|---|
| Fall |
March 31 |
| Spring | July 31 |
| Summer | Nov. 30 |
| Start Term |
Deadline to Submit Critical Requirements |
|---|---|
| Fall |
Sept. 30 |
| Spring | Feb. 15 |
| Summer | June 15 |
It is the responsibility of all students to ensure they remain compliant throughout their clinical experiences. There are some items in your critical requirements that will require maintenance while enrolled, CastleBranch sends notifications about updating the items about to expire during your program. If your renewals are overdue, you will receive communications from the College of Nursing’s critical requirements team. Please take immediate action to achieve compliance when these notifications are received.
If you do not maintain your compliance, onboarding process with your clinical sites will be delayed and may inhibit your ability to remain enrolled in clinical courses. Once you have reached full compliance, you will be able to print a compliance summary from your CastleBranch profile, which you should have with you while in clinical settings.
Students must always remain compliant, which includes keeping all annual requirement information up to date in their CastleBranch account. Students are strongly encouraged to check their CastleBranch profiles regularly.
What else do I need to know?
CastleBranch provides a tracker with a custom list of critical requirements established by UC and based on requirements of the clinical sites in your area. You will be responsible for providing documentation or responding to specific questions to complete each requirement.
Your requirements will be listed in your “To-Do List” and often have due dates for requirement completion. You will be sent an email once a week if you have requirements that are approaching or have passed their due date.
Your specific background check will vary based on the state in which you reside or where you will complete clinical activity. Some clinical sites may require subsequent background checks and drug screening to participate in clinical experiences at their facility. If the clinical site does not coordinate and perform these for you, you can order and pay for additional screenings through CastleBranch. If this is the case, reach out to your clinical site coordinator for further instructions.
For answers to frequently asked questions about CastleBranch, including account management, background checks, drug testing, immunizations and more, visit the CastleBranch Student FAQ.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements & Exemption Protocols
Certain programs at the University have clinical and/or external placements that are a requirement for program completion. To the extent permitted by law, Students enrolled in such programs will be expected to comply with all rules, policies, guidelines, and requirements of any third party placement, including but not limited to vaccination and background check requirements. Any student’s failure to comply with such third-party rules, policies, guidelines or requirements may result in the student not being able to complete and graduate from their program.
Resources
For further assistance related to critical requirements, email conaprncr@uc.edu.